The Draft Local Plan identifies Fulbourn as falling within the policy area ‘Rest of the rural area’.
As previously mentioned the Councils’ state at page 122 of the Draft Local Plan that the strategy for this area is as follows:
“…..propose some development in and around villages that have good transport links and services, while in smaller villages, we propose that only small-scale infill development and affordable housing would be permitted. Any development in and around villages needs to be well-designed for the rural setting, with a strong relationship to landscape”
Policy S/RRA of the Draft Local Plan sets out the site allocations in the rest of the rural area. For the entire area, which covers 3 rural centres and 12 Minor Rural Centres, the Council have identified only four sites for housing as follows:
•The Moor, Moor Lane, Melbourn – 20 homes
•Land to the west of Cambridge Road, Melbourn – 120 homes
•Land at Mansel Farm, Station Road, Oakington – 20 homes
•Land at Highfields (phase 2), Caldecote – 64 homes
As previously stated, despite having excellent public transport links and dedicated cycle routes into the City Centre and Cambridge Biomedical Campus, including Addenbrooke’s Hospital, the Councils’ have not proposed any new site allocations around Fulbourn. Miller object to this strategy, which is contrary to national guidance and does not promote sustainable development in rural areas.
Under Policy ST/4 of the previously adopted Core Strategy (January 2007) Fulbourn was identified as a ‘Rural Centre’, by virtue of its superior range of facilities and excellent public transport services to Cambridge. In terms of local amenities there are a number of shops located within a 5 minute walk of Miller’s Site off School Road including; Cooperative convenience store and Post Office, takeaway restaurant, butchers, beauticians, clothes shop, and a green grocers.
There is a further range of services within walking distance of the Site including Fulbourn Primary School, Village Library, Community Centre and Health Centre. The Site is also within walking distance of existing bus stops on Cambridge Road, which provides direct services (Citi 1 and Citi 3) to the major local employment destinations such as Capitol Park, ARM, Addenbrookes and the city centre. They also provide routes to Cambridge Station, retail destinations such as Tesco’s and Cambridge.
In contrast to alternative growth options promoted north of Fulbourn, the Site provides direct access onto Cambridge Road. As a result vehicles travelling towards Cambridge from the Site can avoid passing through the historic core of the village, close to the main services and facilities. From an environmental perspective, the Site will not only minimise additional transport movements through the village centre, but will promote sustainable modes of travel by virtue of its proximity to existing bus stops and dedicated cycle routes. Therefore sequentially the Site is considered the most favourable location for a sustainable extension to Fulbourn.
Beyond the Cambridge urban area, the largest and most sustainable settlements, within close proximity of the City and along key public transport corridors, are within the Green Belt.